Chapter 40 - The Guild (Part 5)

 

"Wh-What do you mean?" No matter how familiar you are with this person, you shouldn't cover for him...

The investigator opened his mouth in panic.

Not because her words were incredible, his voice was closer to wanting to ignore the truth. However, her reaction was harsh.

"Do you mean I'm lying?"

"Oh, no, that's not what I meant, you see...

"Then what?" Is it possible that the investigation of researchers with your pathetic powers leads to the fact that now even magicians seem inferior to you?

The magic tower mage was close to the half-nobleman.

Although there are many different schools of magic, largely due to the fact that they were grouped together, they carefully defended their rights and interests.

In any case, the problem was that the investigator, a low-ranking officer, dared to question the veracity of her words. The head of the branch could no longer just observe what was happening and cautiously entered the conversation.

"How about we stop it?" You know this, but to those who don't, it may seem absurd.

She nodded in agreement.

"Of course, there is no precedent for a Vampire to be seen in the Chasm on the 1st floor.

Unlike communicating with the investigator, a friendly smile played on her lips. However, it did not last long.

"Thank you for telling me-...

"But ever since the labyrinth was first created, it's still full of all kinds of unknowns. But absurd? Should someone from the Explorers Guild say this, especially the head of the branch?

After a while, harsh criticism poured in.

So what does it mean to be a magician? Even the position of head of the Guild branch didn't seem to matter to her.

At the moment when the head of the branch unsuccessfully got into the conversation, he fell silent.

*Tuk-tuk*

There was a knock. It wasn't a knock on the door with a request.

No one even had time to let them in, as the door swung open.

"Are you the barbarian?"

"Who are you?"

— My name is Nail Urbahns.

Two men entered the room. A middle-aged man in a neat tuxedo and a young man who seemed to be accompanying him.

"The head of the district!"

"Father...?"

Julian, who was currently being held hostage, and the head of the branch opened their mouths at the same time.

I also increased my vigilance, which I managed to relax a little.

So... Even the head of the district came here.

The structure of the guild was simple.

Each of the hundreds of branches in the city had a branch leader, as well as 13 district heads who oversaw them. Only the Guild Master was above them, so the 13 District Heads were second in the guild.

Undoubtedly, these were powerful figures that a mere rank 9 researcher would never meet. But even for these people, the world didn't always work the way they wanted.

"You. I heard that you did something not funny?

Feeling the head of the district look on me, full of displeasure, I grinned.

Not funny, right?! ...

"Yes, I guess so, guys.

If only Hearts Young had not given false testimony. Even if it were so, if only the investigator was not greedy and conducted the case correctly. Not if only the Explorers Guild was an association that managed its employees properly...

Then I wouldn't have to go through this trouble.

But this is not true.

"It must be very insignificant to you. But for me, it wasn't. For me, my life was at stake.

"So that's why you caused this madness?"

"Madness?" I asked, "Is it madness to want to live?

"Couldn't there be another way?" You've gone too far.

Another way, damn it.

Until I broke through the iron bars and got here, the branch manager didn't even know I existed in his branch. And this also applied to this District Head, who could change the internal rules of the guild so that rank 9 researchers could only be investigated on suspicion.

At the same time, I muttered coldly:

"If you had done everything right, none of this would have happened.

The head of the branch intervened.

"You!" How dare you say that in the presence of the head of the district!

The bastard investigator and the district head's escort were also looking at me as if they were looking at a madman. Well, for these guys, I was no different from a madman. The freak of all freaks, defies logical explanation.

The head of the district sighed and shifted his gaze.

"What's your name, mage?"

"Arua Raven."

"All right, Miss Raven. How much will you sell me this crystal ball for?

Whichever way you look at it, it was a conciliatory proposal. However, I didn't know that he would do it so openly.

For a moment, my heart sank.

"I refuse the offer.

"It's a pity.

"You're not going to try to take him by force, are you?"

"Haha!" Of course not. If that were the case, the master of your school wouldn't sit still.

Immediately, the head of the district smiled fervently.

— Why is everyone so strict? It was all just a joke. With all these people waiting for results, how could I dare to do this?

A joke, damn it.

Cold sweat ran down my spine.

— …

That is why I tried to attract a priest in the first place. [Video Memory] or not, Magi could be bought as many times as they wanted according to their own interests. If I didn't know Raven at all, she would have been bribed by the county governor...

A crowd gathered outside, or not, I would have lost my life here.

In any case, the results were not bad.

Raven retained her faith, so even the head of the district did not dare to cover it up with his authority. In other words, now I only had to prove that I was innocent.

In any case, the end was near.

"Okay, how about we end this now?"

I went to the closet and woke up Hearts Young, who was sleeping inside.

"What... What is this? Why am I here...?

The sound of sips was heard all around.

Of course, this was because the moment it was proven that this guy had given false testimony, everyone would really be "not funny".

***

"This man is lying.

At the same time as Raven's words, there was a heavy silence.

"What are you going to do now?" The head of the county, sir?"

— Did you say that your name is Bjorn Yandel? You are innocent.

Seeing the forced smile of the head of the district, I answered:

"I wish I could thank you.

This time, even the branch manager who was listening next to me didn't dare to add a comment to my tone. He just stood in awe and watched the reaction of the head of the district.

"Then what do you want us to do for you now?"

"Isn't that obvious?" I demand compensation and their punishment.

- I see.

The county chief nodded as if he had a calculator in his head, then opened his mouth.

"First of all, the investigator in charge of your case will be fired.

"Head of the branch!" I swear to the gods, I only conducted the investigation according to protocol...!

"Are you trying to pass on your incompetence to the entire guild?" All past judgments made by you will be carefully reviewed. And, if any injustice is found in the process, you will be punished accordingly.

"That can't be!"

The arrogant investigator turned pale and fell to his knees. Seeing his frightened look like this, it seemed that he hadn't lived a completely honest life until now.

Well, judging by his past behavior, I wasn't surprised.

"P-Please spare me!" You are welcome...!

Shouldn't you say that to me, not to him?

I thought he was barking at the wrong tree, but I didn't say it out loud. If he hadn't been such a bastard in the first place, we wouldn't be here.

This is how the world works. No one ever regrets hitting another person. Regrets only come when it's time to pay.

"Then what will happen to this man?" I asked.

A participant in this case. When I asked about it while looking at Hearts Young, the county governor replied without much hesitation.

"This man seriously confused the investigation with false testimony in order to hide his guilt. He will be dealt with in the same way.

"The same?"

"After a thorough investigation, he will be executed.

The words of the head of the district had great weight. The investigation had not yet begun, let alone the trial, but in reality it was the same as the death sentence.

"No...

Soon, Hearts Young's eyes rolled back and he lost consciousness, but no one paid attention.

"I hope you'll find out about the clan this guy belongs to while you're doing this.

"If it's the Crystal Union, then they're notorious for a lot of things. I'll do as you say.

The head of the district readily agreed to my request. I began to think that he was a pretty smart man. This meant that he clearly realized that he had no choice but to give in to what I asked.

"Then, is this punishment enough?"

"Well...

As I stared at one point, stammering, the branch manager met my gaze and hurriedly averted his eyes. I smiled and nodded my head.

"To ask for more here would be too much for me.

"Thank you for taking our situation into account.

There is nothing to be thankful for. I planned to get what I deserved in another way.

"Okay, now that the punishment is over, we have to talk about compensating for the mistake we made with you. Is there anything you want?

"I'll decide after your words."

"First of all, I'll raise your rank to rank 7.

"Rank up, hmph...

Not bad.

When I become a rank 7 researcher, there will be fewer people in the money exchange, and there will be many other advantages.

If I wasn't a rank 9, this bastard investigator wouldn't be so arrogant.

"County Head, sir!" You immediately promote a researcher with only 2 months of experience to rank 7!

The head of the branch added that he was concerned about the problems that could arise from the issue of equality in the future, but the head of the district stubbornly shook his head.

"We are now apologizing to this man. So don't disagree with me.

— ... Ok.

The behavior of the head of the district was similar to how a politician makes a sincere apology.

Especially in the fact that his words were empty.

"Wait a minute. It's a bit weird!

Just as I was about to open my mouth, Raven, who was standing quietly, was the first to join the conversation. I was nervous about what she would say this time, but...

She didn't care at all.

— How can a rank increase be a compensation? Isn't it the guild's job to give advantages to researchers with abilities by increasing their rank?

"But as I just heard, this man—"

"Still a beginner?" What does it matter?

"Such an unprecedented-

— Of course, this is unprecedented.

After interrupting the district chief several times, she continued to speak like a rapid-fire cannon.

"There wouldn't be a single explorer who would absorb the essence of a rank 5 monster, a Vampire and a Rift Keeper within two months.

— ... What do you want to say?

"I'm not sure. It's just that I'm a little strange to see you call compensation something that should already be done by default.

Soon she turned to me and smiled. Since I wasn't ignorant enough to throw out a ready-made opportunity, I quickly went along with it.

"Then I suppose I can now foresee real compensation.

— ... What do you want?

Well, since I've endured such hardships, I should get the same amount in return. I was just about to ask for something-...

When Raven spoke again.

— Of course, money. Is there anything else the Explorers Guild could do for him?

I'm sure if I searched, I'd find something.

Getting free binding magic for life, or permission to post private announcements on bulletin boards within the guild, etc.

But at the end of the day, these are all things that money can buy.

When I nodded in agreement, the county governor sighed and raised a white flag.

"How much?"

Now all that remains is to enter the amount on a blank check. I looked at Raven, who now somehow felt trustworthy.

This meant that I believed in the sorcerer's rational judgment. Fortunately, the meaning was conveyed well, and she spoke with a somewhat proud expression on her face.

"Since you almost accidentally executed a researcher who had a bright future ahead of him—" She stopped at her word and spat out, "At least 5 million stones?

The head of the district nodded his head without a word.

— ... Okay, it will be paid for.

I wasn't all that surprised. 5 million stones was a lot more than I expected, but...

… that's if I asked for it.

Without Raven, the deal wouldn't have gone so smoothly.

Is this really the power of status? Deeply aware of its power, I wondered how I could repay the help I had received today.

Raven opened her mouth again.

"Ah, my reward will be another 1 million stones.

"Reward?" What do you mean? If this is a fee for your room, then the amount agreed with the tower...

"Including the value of this crystal ball, which recorded a joke that the head of the district made earlier. Perhaps it was a joke, but... I'm sure a lot of people will be interested in it, aren't they?

—... Ха-ха-ха, какая юморная девушка.

"I'm not kidding.

As it hardened, the county head's expression turned sour.

He didn't need to think long.

"Okay...

Soon the head of the district shook his head. In a sense, it was 1 million stones thrown to the wind because of one slip of the tongue.

... I don't think there is any need to pay her for her help.

Are all magicians like that?

As I admired how she looked out for her interests, her voice rang through my head.

"Thanks to you, I've earned some pocket money.

When I heard that voice, I thought about something I hadn't thought about for a long time...

I thought that in the future we should meet more often.